Flexible post binder and compression mechanism therefor



2 1965 E. WHITTEMORE ETAL 3,224,450

FLEXIBLE POST BINDER AND COMPRESSION MECHANISM THEREFQR Filed Jan. 27,1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E INVENTORS 32 EDWARD WH/TTEMORE BY ROBERTL/NDGREN J. lntfi 5 5 A TTORNEY DeQ 1965 E. WHlTTEMORE ETAL 3,224,450

FLEXIBLE POST BINDER AND COMPRESSION MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Jan. 27,1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 I Z9 p- 26 54 m 4 l 1 50 I 30 Zj/Q r 1 1 i /9 Z02 24 5/52 28 /Z 20 z/ 29 3/3; 25 20 azr INVENTORS EDWARD WH/TTEMO/PE BYROBERT L/NDGREN United States Patent C) 3,224,450 FLEXIBLE POST BINDERAND COMPRESSION MECHANISM THEREFOR Edward Whittemore, Elmhurst, andRobert Lindgren, Aurora, 111., assignors to Wilson Jones Company,Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 27, 1964, Ser. No.340,187 4 Claims. (Cl. 12925) This invention relates to a flexible postbinder and, in particular to a compression mechanism for use therein.

Flexible post binders, since the basic invention thereof, havepractically revolutionized the field. Prior compression mechanisms,however, have not been satisfactory for low priced binders withrelatively inexpensive covers.

The compression mechanism of this invention has a number of advantageswhich will be summarized seriatim:

(1) The compression mechanism is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

(2) The compressor members utilized therewithin are of such constructionthat they may be snapped into the channel from a position outside theplane thereof but nevertheless retained therein.

(3) In one modification of this invention similar compression mechanismsare disposed on each of the covers of the binders. Thus the binder canbe loaded or unloaded with sheets from either side and the opposite endsof the posts can be retained selectively.

(4) The posts can be inexpensively made, with the use of the abovemodification of this invention, since it is not necessary in thismodification to produce posts with enlarged end portions. These types ofposts can thus be prepared by mass production methods and very cheaply.

The above constitutes a brief description of the instant invention andthe advantages thereof. Other advantages of this invention will becomeapparent as the description proceeds.

The invention will now be further described by reference to theaccompanying drawings which are made a part of this specification.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of a binder having one form ofthe compression mechanism of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the binder shown in FIG. 1 taken alonglines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the binder shown in FIG. 1 taken alonglines 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2 but showing thealternative form of compression mechanism wherein similar compressionmechanisms are disposed on each of the cover members of the binder.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3 but showing thealternative form of mechanism shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a detail sectional view taken through the channel and cover atthe point of rivet attachment and showing how a compressor member may beinserted into the channel from a position outside the plane there-of.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 showing the compressor memberin position within the channel.

The invention will now be further described by reference to the specificforms thereof shown in the accompanying drawings. In this connection,however, the reader is cautioned to note that the specific forms of thisinvention set forth in this specification are for illustrative purposesand for purposes of example only. Various changes and modifications mayobviously be made within the spirit and scope of this invention andwould occur to those skilled in this art.

The flexible post binder 10, to which the compression mechanism of thisinvention is secured, includes an upper support portion 13 and anextended portion 14. Cover 12 includes a support portion 15 and anextended portion 16.

A compression mechanism (in the modification shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3)is secured to support portion 13 of cover 11. The compression mechanismincludes a channel 17 having a pair of oppositely laterally disposedoutwardly slanting rails 61. Channel 17 also has a pair of oppositelydisposed lateral overhanging portions 18 and a pair of inturned endportions 19 at opposite ends of channel 17. Channel 17 is riveted tosupport portion 13 by rivets 20.

A plurality of sheets 21 are disposed between covers 11 and 12. Each ofsheets 21 are provided with spaced openings 22 and 23 therewithin.Spaced openings 24 and 25 are provided within cover 12 and spacedopenings 26 and 27 are provided within cover 11. Spaced openings 28 and29 are provided within channel 17. Openings 22, 24, 26 and 28 andopenings 23, 25, 27 and 29 are in alignment with one another. A post 30having a threaded portion 31 and a screw head 32 extends throughopenings 22, 24, 26 and 28 and 23, 25, 27 and 29. The upper end 33 ofeach of posts 30 are retained in bent-over relationship by compressor34. Each of posts 30 are made of resin-ous material having flexibility,stability of conditions between zero and F. and resistance tostretching. Preferably these posts are made of type 6/6 nylon or otherresinous material of similar characteristics.

Compressor 34 is formed with a pair of resilient laterally disposedupwardly extending substantially V- shaped hook members 35 each normallydisposed beneath a corresponding portion 18 of channel 17. Each ofmembers 35 are formed with a resiliently connected inwardly movableportion 60. Compressor 34 also bears a bridge portion 36 intermediatebetween hook portions 35. Compressor member 34 is likewise preferablymade of resilient resinous material.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an alternative construction of this invention whereinsimilar compression mechanisms are disposed upon each cover of thebinder. Thus, as shown particularly in FIG. 4 a channel 17 andassociated structure are secured to support portion 13 of cover 11 andto support portion 15 of cover 12. A pair of openings 37 and 38 are alsoprovided within channel 17 secured to support portion 15. With thisconstruction the posts 30a which are disposed within openings 22, 24,26, 28 and 37 and openings 23, 25, 27, 29 and 38 are formed with points33 at their opposite end portions. The opposite end portions 40 and 41are secured beneath compressor members 34 which are located within eachof channels 17.

With the foregoing description the operation of the form of inventionset forth in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are now explained.

The binder is prepared for operation by disposing a pair of posts 30with the threaded portion 31 engaged and screw head 32 in position.Assuming that the binder is being utilized for the first time a pair ofcompressor members 34 are placed within channel 17 in the position shownin FIG. 6. Pressure is then applied to the compressor member 34 in thedirection indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 6 and the compressormember snaps into position as shown in FIG. 7. In normal position theportions 60 of hooks 35 each lie along a rail 61. Because of the outwardslant of rail 61 the compressor is more easily placed within a channel17 and moves more freely therealong. The end portions 33 of each ofposts 30 are retained in bent-over relationship by compressors 34 asindicated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

In the alternative structure shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 the binder isprepared for operation by snapping the compressor members into theappropriate channels 17 and cover 11 and a lower cover 12. Cover 11includes athence selectively retaining either ends 40 of posts 30a orends 41 of posts 30a. The opposite end portions are then retained asdesired by utilizing compressor members 34 located upon the oppositeChannel. Thus, with the alternative construction shown in FIGS. 4 and 5the flexible post binder may be loaded from either side.

The foregoing demonstrates how the objects of this invention areachieved.

We claim:

1. A compression mechanism for a flexible post binder comprising achannel having a pair of oppositely laterally disposed rails, a pair ofoppositely inwardly extending spaced overhanging portions carried bysaid rails and a pair of oppositely disposed inturned end portions, 21pair of compressor members normally slidably disposed within saidchannel, each of said compressor members formed with a pair ofoppositely laterally disposed upwardly opening substantially V-shapedhook members each having a resiliently connected inwardly movableportion, a bridge portion intervening said hook members, each of theinwardly movable portions of each of the hook members of a compress-ormember being normally disposed between one of the overhanging portionsof said channel and lying along the rails thereof, the spacing betweenthe overhanging portions of said rails being greater than the spacingbetween the apexes of the V-shaped hooks but less than the spacingbetween the outer extremities of said hooks; each of said compressormembers being also adapted to be snapped into said channel from aposition outside the plane thereof.

2. A compression mechanism for a flexible post binder comprising achannel having a pair of oppositely laterally disposed outwardlyslanting rails, a pair of oppositely disposed inwardly extending spacedoverhanging portions carried by said rails and stop means at each end ofsaid channel; a pair of compressor members normally slidably disposedwithin said channel, each of said compressor members formed with a pairof oppositely laterally disposed upwardly opening substantially V-shapedhook members each having a resiliently connected inwardly movableportion, an upwardly extending bowed bridge portions intervening saidhook members, each of the resiliently connected portions of said hookmembers of a compressor member being normally disposed beneath one ofthe overhanging portions of said channel and lying along the railsthereof, the spacing between the overhanging portions of said railsbeing greater than the spacing between the apexes of the V- shaped hooksbut less than the spacing between the outer extremities of said hooks;each of said compressor members being also adapted to be snapped intosaid channel from a position outside the plane thereof.

3. A flexible post binder comprising an upper cover and a lower cover,each of said covers having a support portion and an extended portion,said support portions being each provided with a pair of spaced openingstherewithin in alignment with the corresponding opening upon theopposite cover, a compression mechanism upon the support portion of oneof said covers, said compression mechanism comprising a channel having apair of oppositely laterally disposed outwardly slanting rails, a pairof oppositely disposed inwardly extending spaced overhanging portionscarried by said rails and an inturned end portion at each end of saidchannel; said channel being also provided with a pair of openings inalignment with the openings on said support portion, a pair of flexibleposts having opposite end portions each disposed within aligned openingsand retained therewithin and projecting therefrom; a pair of compressormembers normally slidably disposed within said channel, each of saidcompressor members formed with a pair of oppositely laterally disposedupwardly opening substantially V-shaped hook members, each having aresiliently connected inwardly movable and outwardly projecting portion,a bridge portion intervening said hook members, an end portion of eachof said posts being normally disposed beneath one of said bridgeportions, each of the resiliently connected portions of said hookmembers being normally disposed beneath one of the overhanging portionsof said chan nel and lying along a rail thereof, the spacing between theoverhanging portions of said rails being greater than the spacingbetween the apexes of the V-shaped hooks but less than the spacingbetween the outer extremities of said hooks; each of said compressormembers being also adapted to be snapped into said channel from aposition outside the plane thereof.

4. A flexible post binder comprising an upper cover and a lower cover,each of said covers having a support portion and an extended portion,said support portions being each provided with a pair of spaced openingstherewithin in alignment with the corresponding opening upon theopposite cover, a compression mechanism upon the support portions ofeach of said covers, each of said compression mechanisms comprising achannel having a pair of oppositely laterally disposed outwardlyslanting rails, a pair of oppositely inwardly extending spacedoverhanging portions carried by said rails, said channel having a pairof oppositely disposed inturned end portions at each end thereof, eachof said channels being provided with a pair of spaced openings inalignment with the openings upon the corresponding support portion, apair of flexible posts of resinous material having opposite end portionseach disposed within a set of aligned openings within said covers andsaid channels, said posts being retained therewithin and projectingtherefrom, a pair of compressor members within each of said channelsnormally slidably disposed therewithin, each of said compressor membersformed with a pair of oppositely laterally upwardly openingsubstantially V-shaped spaced hook members each having resilientlyconnected inwardly movable and outwardly projecting portions, anintervening bridge portion intervening said hook members, an end portionof each of said posts being normally disposed beneath a bridge portionof a compressor member within the channels upon opposite covers, each ofthe resiliently connected portions of said hook members being normallydisposed beneath one of the overhanging portions of the respectivechannel and lying along a rail thereof, the spacing between theoverhanging portions of said rails being greater than the spacingbetween the apexes of the V- shaped hooks but less than the spacingbetween the outer extremities of said hooks; each of said compressormembers being also adapted to be snapped into the respective channelfrom a position outside the plane thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,860,155 5/1932Orthwine 24153 1,936,144 11/1933 Wagner 24-153 2,119,843 6/1938 Brennan24153 2,252,827 8/1941 Zwickel 12925 3,078,853 2/1963 Klein 129413,121,432 2/1964 Schade 12925 X 3,150,667 9/1964 Potts 12925 I FOREIGNPATENTS 1,191,115 4/1959 France.

1,219,180 12/1959 France.

25,648 2/ 1902 Switzerland.

WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner.

JEROME SCHNALL, Examiner.

1. A COMPRESSION MECHANISM FOR A FLEXIBLE POST BINDER COMPRISING ACHANNEL HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY LATERALLY DISPOSED RAILS, A PAIR OFOPPOSITELY INWARDLY EXTENDING SPACED OVERHANGING PORTIONS CARRIED BYSAID RAILS AND A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY DISPOSED INTURNED END PORTIONS, APAIR OF COMPRESSOR MEMBERS NORMALLY SLIDABLY DISPOSED WITHIN SAIDCHANNEL, EACH OF SAID COMPRESSOR MEMBERS FORMED WITH A PAIR OFOPPOSITELY LATERALLY DISPOSED UPWARDLY OPENING SUBSTANTIALLY V-SHAPEDHOOK MEMBERS EACH HAVING A RESILIENTLY CONNECTED INWARDLY MOVABLEPORTION, A BRIDGE PORTION INTERVENING SAID HOOK MEMBERS, EACH OF THEINWARDLY MOVABLE PORTIONS OF EACH OF THE HOOK MEMBERS OF A COMPRESSORMEMBER BEING NORMALLY DISPOSED BETWEEN ONE OF THE OVERHANGING PORTIONSOF SAID CHANNEL AND LYING ALONG THE RAILS THEREOF, THE SPACING BETWEENTHE OVERHANGING PORTIONS OF SAID RAILS BEING GREATER THAN THE SPACINGBETWEEN THE APEXES OF THE V-SHAPED HOOKS BUT LESS THAN THE SPACINGBETWEEN THE OUTER EXTREMITIES OF SAID HOOKS; EACH OF SAID COMPRESSORMEMBERS BEING ALSO ADAPTED TO BE SNAPPED INTO SAID CHANNEL FROM APOSITION OUTSIDE THE PLANE THEREOF.